Measurements

Both Sexes

Length

15.7–20.1 in40–51 cm

Wingspan

30.3–32.7 in 77–83 cm

Weight

21.2–45.9 oz 600–1300 g

Other Names

Garrot commun, Garrot à oeil d'or (French)

Porrón osculado (Spanish)

Cool Facts

A female Common Goldeneye often lays eggs in the nest of another female, especially in nest boxes. She may lay in the nests of other species of ducks as well. Common and Barrow's goldeneyes lay in each other's nests, and Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers often lay in the goldeneye's nest too.

After the ducklings leave the nest they can feed themselves and require only protection. Some females abandon their broods soon after hatching, and the young will join another female's brood. Such mixed broods, known as "creches," may also occur when a female loses some ducklings after a territorial fight with another female. Young scatter and mix when females fight, and not all of them get back to their mother when the fight ends. Some or all of the ducklings may be transferred to one brood, usually that of the territory owner.

The eyes of a Common Goldeneye are gray-brown at hatching. They turn purple-blue, then blue, then green-blue as they age. By five months of age they have become clear pale green-yellow. The eyes will be bright yellow in adult males and pale yellow to white in females.

Habitat

Lake/Pond

Breeds along lakes and rivers bordered by forest.

Winters primarily in marine waters, bays and harbors, as well as in large inland lakes and rivers.